Low Coolant, At Work

Zirenz2006 · 12-02-2011, 10:13 AM

Hey guys,

I already posted this in the proper section but I don't know how often people read that so I am re-posting here.

This morning my low coolant light came on then shut off so I thought nothing of it but decided to check after I got to work and my engine cooled.

I noticed it is considerably low.

I don't have a BMW dealership near me to get their brand of coolant but all i read is to use theirs in a 50/50 mix with distilled water.

Can I just add coolant from a auto parts store if I can even find one near me or can I just use distilled water from the grocery store nearby to get home and have it checked tomorrow? It is supposed to get down to 29 tonight so I am concerned with just the distilled water freezing.

I have a 50 mile ride home so I want to be safe and not drive it this low.

Thanks!

ndog14 · 12-02-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Hey guys,

I already posted this in the proper section but I don't know how often people read that so I am re-posting here.

This morning my low coolant light came on then shut off so I thought nothing of it but decided to check after I got to work and my engine cooled.

I noticed it is considerably low.

I don't have a BMW dealership near me to get their brand of coolant but all i read is to use theirs in a 50/50 mix with distilled water.

Can I just add coolant from a auto parts store if I can even find one near me or can I just use distilled water from the grocery store nearby to get home and have it checked tomorrow? It is supposed to get down to 29 tonight so I am concerned with just the distilled water freezing.

I have a 50 mile ride home so I want to be safe and not drive it this low.

Thanks!

BMW anything is marked up XX% even though it is the same thing. Go to the auto parts store and they will take care of you.

02themax · 12-02-2011, 11:29 AM

Depending on how many miles you have I would also consider just topping with distilled to get you home then getting a flush soon.

Tom K. · 12-02-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndog14

BMW anything is marked up XX% even though it is the same thing. Go to the auto parts store and they will take care of you.

Not according to BMW (from the manual):

Coolant

Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns.

<

Coolant is a mixture of water and an additive.
Not all commercially available additives are suitable
for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise
engine damage may result. The additives
are hazardous to your health.

Tom

ctuna · 12-02-2011, 11:41 AM

Then add the same amount of BMW fluid later.
Also if there are any local Independent BMW shops nearby they
may stock the stuff or what about a dealership.
I got a gallon from my Indy it was about 20 bucks .

doubleIN · 12-02-2011, 12:09 PM

just use some water for now

CombatNinja · 12-02-2011, 02:15 PM

Just add water, I wouldn't even bother with distilled. Then take it to the dealer and have them figure out the issue.

ENINTY · 12-02-2011, 09:07 PM

Okay, so just relax. Your car is not dangeroulsy low on coolant. Out of the 4 gallons the system holds you probably have 3 gallons and 3 quarts, so the car is not going to melt on you. The best advice is to get BMW OEM coolant, mix it with 50% distilled water and add it to the coolant reservoir until the second ball on the stick is level with the filler neck. The last time I was at a dealer, a few weeks ago, I noticed that BMW now packages pre-mixed coolant in quart bottles. See if your closest dealer is open tomorrow and buy some coolant and replenish the system.

12-02-2011, 10:13 AM	#1
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1578 Rep 4,581 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Comp IOMG Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	Low Coolant, At Work - Need Advice! Hey guys, I already posted this in the proper section but I don't know how often people read that so I am re-posting here. This morning my low coolant light came on then shut off so I thought nothing of it but decided to check after I got to work and my engine cooled. I noticed it is considerably low. I don't have a BMW dealership near me to get their brand of coolant but all i read is to use theirs in a 50/50 mix with distilled water. Can I just add coolant from a auto parts store if I can even find one near me or can I just use distilled water from the grocery store nearby to get home and have it checked tomorrow? It is supposed to get down to 29 tonight so I am concerned with just the distilled water freezing. I have a 50 mile ride home so I want to be safe and not drive it this low. Thanks! __________________ Current: 2021 ///M3 Competition Isle of Man Green Ordered: 2024 ///M2 Zandvoort Blue Past: 2018 X3 ///M40i \| 2012 *328i* \| 2009 *335i* \| 2007 *335i Coupe* \| 2005 *545i* \| 2001 *325i*
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12-02-2011, 11:29 AM	#3
02themax Captain 28 Rep 946 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (6)	Depending on how many miles you have I would also consider just topping with distilled to get you home then getting a flush soon. __________________ E90 335i Sport Package - Logic 7 Sound w/ipod - Bluetooth - Comfort Access - PDC - 19" M3 Reps 275/30 235/35 - Blacklines - 10mil spacers rear, 5mil spacers front - BMW Alarm
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12-02-2011, 11:41 AM	#5
ctuna Lieutenant General 1921 Rep 13,122 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Add a known amount of distilled water Then add the same amount of BMW fluid later. Also if there are any local Independent BMW shops nearby they may stock the stuff or what about a dealership. I got a gallon from my Indy it was about 20 bucks .
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12-02-2011, 12:09 PM	#6
doubleIN atlien 15 Rep 371 Posts Drives: '11 e90 335i Join Date: May 2011 Location: atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [8.50]	just use some water for now
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12-02-2011, 02:15 PM	#7
CombatNinja Banned 46 Rep 1,556 Posts Drives: e91 328i, e90 328i, e90 335i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Just add water, I wouldn't even bother with distilled. Then take it to the dealer and have them figure out the issue.
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12-02-2011, 09:07 PM	#8
ENINTY Banned 173 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Okay, so just relax. Your car is not dangeroulsy low on coolant. Out of the 4 gallons the system holds you probably have 3 gallons and 3 quarts, so the car is not going to melt on you. The best advice is to get BMW OEM coolant, mix it with 50% distilled water and add it to the coolant reservoir until the second ball on the stick is level with the filler neck. The last time I was at a dealer, a few weeks ago, I noticed that BMW now packages pre-mixed coolant in quart bottles. See if your closest dealer is open tomorrow and buy some coolant and replenish the system.
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